I've been thinking about this for a day and half. I said a couple of things on Twitter. And then someone posted something here on LJ, and I commented, and it was long enough for a post of its own, so here it is.

Disclaimer: I have middle-class white British [mostly-]heterosexual educated privilege.

You know what my position is? I want a good doctor, and a good dentist, and a good plumber and electrician and grocer and handyman and library assistant and call-centre-person, and I don't much care whether they're from Formby or Formosa. And I expect to be good at my job if I hope to keep it and I expect to be replaced by someone better if I'm not.

For years I've had a GP from India, and he's brilliant. And a dentist from Buckinghamshire, and she's brilliant too. And I'm delighted to have each of them.

And there was a time five years ago when I really wished immigration was easier in Washington DC, USA... and I recognise how hypocritical I'd be if I wanted it to be harder here.

I just kind of wish that if Gordon was prepared to say "she's a bigot" in the car, he'd have been prepared to say "you're a bigot" to her face, and engage with her and find out what she thinks is wrong, and help her to find out what he thinks is wrong. I think that's one of his failings on this occasion.

As a foreignor in this land, I have to admit that people do have biggoted feelings about my likes taking jobs that should be for English people. I am lucky in that I havonly been racially abused a few times in the work place. My skin colour and accent deflect. Much vitiol that is usually saved for my Asian and black colleagues who are actually British.

The free movement of people within the EU is not a bad thing at all, but this is confused with illegal immigrants and immigration from other non EU countries.

I am with Clegg on the legalising and TAXING people who are here 10 years illegally. I want thier NI and and Imcome tax in the Revenue coffers.

Brown made a stupid mistake. He was caught.

Meanwhile - I have major issues with the U-CUNF's. I notice Haig never mentioned his fellow parties issues over gay people, their attempts to reinstitute discrimination and the lack of rights for women who want an abortion in Northern Ireland. Let alone how it was the only party that wanted to block progress in devolution and want to disband the parades commission. Go conservitive unionists.